So frustrated!!

[Me&youC]

I was supposed to have a networking group meeting today at noon, and no one showed! :evil: Last month, at the first meeting I had trouble just finding the place we were supposed to meet since there were no signs in the building and the organizer didn't give directions for once you were inside. It was an old renovated mill building full of businesses, and after wandering around I finally found the "massageplanete", and then had to wait until ten after before anyone showed up! Not a happy camper at that point, but figured I'd give it another shot.

So today I get there with just 2 minutes to spare, and half an hour later I am still sitting there by myself. :twisted: The organizer had emailed everyone yesterday reminding us of the meeting and never mentioned a change of location so I assumed it would right where she had said it would last time; the same place! I emailed her while I was there to find out if I was in the wrong place, and she responded that some other person (who I've never met) was going to be leading the group today and that he should be there soon. That was 12:15 and at 12:30 I left. As I'm leaving the parking lot, she emails to ask if I've "found them yet?" t108

I'm glad I found out how unorganized these people are before forking over $125 for the next 6 months. Especially since the only thing she said the money would do is let us eat the food at the massageplanete with out paying. I eat before I come, and considering her business is in the same building and she doesn't have to pay to use the "massageplanete" (it's just a big lunch room with pool tables on one side), I don't see why I need to pay that much. Up until this point the other group that has been around longer has been completely free, but since they had to form the second group they decided to start charging.

I replied to her last email that I didn't feel the group was right for me as my practice was dependent on a schedule and with the lack of communication shown I was worried I'd waste time that could be better spent on my own. I also mentioned that I just needed something with more structure. t011 That was the nicest I could be when I really wanted to reply with a nasty-gram full of lectures in responsibility, professionalism, and time management. t013

Thanks for letting me vent. I hope other people have much better luck with their networking efforts.

 

[Sex.See .]

So frustrated!!

That would drive me away quickly, too!! I'm sorry you had such an icky experience.

 

[halifax666]

So frustrated!!

Awww, Lauren-- what a horrible first experience! I assure you, not all networking groups are like that. Keep trying; ditch the ones you don't feel are a good fit after a couple of visits (we try to give at least two visits in case the first time was a fluke), and always keep your eyes open for new opportunities. We now regularly attend networking meetings of two chambers of commerce and one Netweavers group, and are "testing the waters" in a second Netweavers group. We're encouraged by many to branch out into , but we just don't "feel it", so we're sticking with where we're at for now. I think 4 groups is quite enough for ANYone to handle (and the only reason we can kinda-sorta "handle" 4 is because it's both me and DH, and we can split up and talk to different people or stick together, or one go to one meeting and one go to another....). ((( hugs ))) hang in there, and please don't give up!

 

[TheRyno]

So frustrated!!

Thanks guys. :kiss: I won't give up on the networking groups yet, but I do think I'll wait until I have some more time under my belt (I've only been open here a few months) before trying again. That way I'm not stressing about the meetings at the same time I'm wondering about the things I'm already in the middle of doing to get new clients.

 

[Ahead by a Century]

So frustrated!!

Hopefully you will find something that works! I am in the process of looking into some networking groups - not necessarily for massage but small business or something with a more 'health conscience' spin AND something close to home. The last thing I want to do is spend a lot of time commuting around.

I like the idea of a massage only network group though... hmmm....